A Fall Family portrait session for a lovely family of four - Sep 2020

 Hello friends,

As you know this year has been a whirlwind of huge changes and adaptation for everyone. Part of this "new normal" for me has been a departure from my customary seasonal portrait sessions. For my own personal sense of safety and that of others, I felt taking a break would be best and so my photography subjects since March have been those you find in nature, wildlife and landscapes.

However, recently I had the opportunity to set up a portrait session for a beautiful family of four. We chose a lovely historical outdoor destination and in a very safe and social distanced manner I was able to capture some lovely tender moments of this very special familial bond. Please enjoy some of my favorite shots of the day:

More from this portrait session on my Instagram feed @cestlaviephotographybylyra.

Despite the upheaval and uncertainty of this year, there are a few more projects and portrait sessions to come soon. Please stay tuned.

xo,

Lyra G.

Shelter-in-Place Spring Decor Updates....

Hello friends! How is everyone holding up during this "new normal" and unprecedented time?   I hope everyone is keeping sane, safe and healthy. We are taking this day by day, thankful for every new day we stay healthy and praying intensely for all those who have personally been affected by this global pandemic.

One advantage of all of this extra free time at home is working on home projects and decor updates.  Early this year, around January, we decided to invest in a few more furniture pieces to complete the living room area of our open floor plan for extra seating and a more intimate conversation area. We scored two arm chairs that fulfilled all the aspects we were looking for: sleek, comfortable, neutral colored and low-profile.  The arm chairs we found also had the added benefit to be swivel chairs for added versatility.  Here they are pictured below:

HomeSense (a TJ Maxx Subsidiary) is quite the treasure trov for stylish Decor and Furniture pieces at decent prices!

We also happened upon the most delicate and classic art piece for a space on our gallery wall that previously had a popular Target art piece, only as a place holder. When I saw "Angelique" - because she looks French to me - I knew I had to bring her home:

She's just perfect and ties into the other Classic and French inspired female decor pieces in my space, i.e. - Colette.

and Madelyn...

The Target artwork piece will now live in our Office where there was a large blank wall in need of some color and style:

As for what I have up my sleeve for DIY projects during this shelter-in-place time, its the final piece to complete our living room gallery wall. Here are a few inspiration pieces as a hint of what I'm working on:

I finally received all of the components via Amazon Prime, and as soon as it's complete Ill be sharing on the Blog, so please stay tuned...

What have you been doing during this extra time? I'd love to know. Comment below.


xoxo,

Lyra G.

A very special 15 year Anniversary Session - New England Historical Treasures

My most recent portrait session was for a  beloved couple who tomorrow, January 15, will celebrate fifteen years of marriage!!!  A truly blessed and beautiful accomplishment that is testament to the power of threefold cord ( Ec 4:12) and marrying your best friend.💑 Through many joys and sorrows, troubles and triumphs these two friends have accomplished creating a beautiful life together as they have deepened and strengthened their bond.

As one of her bridesmaids and friends for life, it has been a special joy for me to be part of their special day and to now fifteen years later be able to capture their love through this anniversary session. As a backdrop we chose some amazing historical treasures in New England including the home of one of my favorite authors' Luisa May Alcott, who wrote the classic Little Women set in the idyllic town of Concord, MA.  As well as the historical Grist Mill at the Wayside Inn built under the direction of Henry ford in 1929.

Please enjoy some of my favorite captures from this day:

Happy Anniversary my darling Fary and Mark! May Jehovah bless you with many many more years of happiness! 💕💕

Stay tuned for more upcoming photography sessions and other exciting events.

xoxo,

Lyra G.

Follow me on Instagram @cestlaviephotographybylyra for more frequent updates.

Updated Loft Tour - Chateau C'est La Vie 2019

So its been a minute, but the last time I posted an interior decorating related post was more than a year ago after selling our previous home and relocating to a new area and space. More on that here and here.

However, my love for Interiors almost equals my love and passion for photography, and after about a year and change,  I can finally say our new space feels like "home."

Please enjoy some captures of what we lovingly refer to as our cozy Chateau C'est La Vie. I will link some of the items below in case anyone is interested in creating a similar aesthetic in their own homes.

Mid Century Mod Inspired Sofa, Pillows and metal and mercury glass candles - West Elm
Side tables  - WayFair.com, Ottoman/coffe table fom Pier One.  Acrylic tray from Amazon Prime. 

Metal hanging  planter and pillows from West Elm. Cashmere throw from TJ Maxx.

I believe my style is best defined as classic meets contemporary. I love mixing consigned items like these old vintage inspired prints with more contemporary items like these gorgeous French cafe inspired gold brass stools from Restoration Hardware which I purchased at a mega sale price in their outlet store.

Items like the velvet stool with storage and the oval mirror are from Wayfair and Ross, respectively. The pillows on the bench are all from Amazon Prime, one of my favorite resources for stylish yet affordable decor accessories.

These vintage consigned mirrors are most definitely a focal point of our open concept space and I am a huge fan of  all the reflective surfaces and the light they bring into a space. The glass table and acrylic chairs are from Wayfair.Com. 

Table settings include round woven placemats and organic cotton dinner napkins from West Elm.

For window treatments I decided to keep them delicate, bright and airy by using sheer panels from Ikea. Accent chairs from Pier One, acrylic accent table from Home Goods.

Moving on to the Master Bedroom, it was important to keep it light, bright and as serene as possible . Lamps and crystal chandelier from Wayfair to  add just the right amount of sparkle.

Side tables and Hutch from Home Goods, quilted bedding from Overstock.com

Our office/guest room we kept more masculine with a black and white theme. Most of the items in this room were purchased from Ikea.Com and Wayfair.com. The large vintage airplane photograph on glass was indeed a statement piece and a great find at Home Goods, it was what set the tone for the entire room. 

Finally, some details from our bathroom decor, both we've kept very simple and minimalist. The guest bathroom has a few touches of black and white framed artwork from my Shop for  a personal touch.  The monogrammed Shower curtain is from Wayfair. Our on-suite bathroom has been kept light and bright with a few splashes of green, these particular prints are from our recent trip to Copenhagen and were purchased at the museum for Design, loved the art deco pattern. 

And that concludes our decor tour for now. I hope you have enjoyed. 

I will be back in the near future for more interior decorating updates as they come or as I make changes depending on my mood and the ambiance I want to create. 😉

xoxo,

Lyra G. 

2019 - The Year of the Weddings

You read that right, 2019 has most definitely been the "year of the weddings" for my husband and I!

We had the pleasure of being part of four big weddings this year (three of which we did Engagement Sessions for) and we couldn't be more excited for these lovely newlyweds. 

Since It's been a couple of months since I last posted, I figured a summary post highlighting some of my favorite wedding pictures for these couples would be most appropriate. 

First up, Nabel and Rafa Paula who wed on October 5, 2019. A  beautiful and elegant evening wedding at the Ritchfield Regency. 

More from this special day on my Instagram page @cestlaviephotographybylyra

Next we have Cassie and Luis' Juarez special day, October 12, 2019. Such a fun and unique outdoor wedding on the most Idyllic fall day.

More from this special day on my Instagram page @cestlaviephotographybylyra

Finally, a few weeks ago on November 30, 2019, Ketsia and Chris Vega tied the knot in a most festive and elegant multi-cultured wedding at the stunning Naninas in the Park. 

More from this special day on my Instagram page @cestlaviephotographybylyra

And that finalizes the wedding diaries! We wish a lifetime of happiness for these new couples as they form their new lives along with the three-fold cord that will serve as their guidance and light as they begin their new lives together.

Up next, updates on Chateau C'est La Vie...Stay tuned.

xoxo,

Lyra G.

Up next,